MATEC Web of Conferences 337, 04001 (2021) https://doi.org/10.

1051/matecconf/202133704001
PanAm-UNSAT 2021

Unsaturated K\draulic Fonductivity of Fompacted Eio-

cemented Oateritic Voil in Punicipal Volid Zaste Fontainment
Dpplication
Kolawole Juwonlo Osinubi1, Emmanuel Gadzama2, Adrian Oshioname Eberemu1* and Thomas Stephen Ijimdiya1.
1
Department of Civil Engineering, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
1*Dept. of Civil Engineering and African Centre of Excellence on New Pedagogiesin Engineering Education Ahmadu Bello University
Zaria, Nigeria
2
Department of Civil Engineering, Modibbo Adama University of T ech nology, Yola, Nigeria

Abstract. Most engineering infrastructures, including municipal solid waste containment facilities, are situated in
unsaturated zone. T he use of chemical additives for soil improvement has been linked to the adverse environmental
issues being experienced globally. Research into more sustainable methods of soil improvement has led to the
discovery of a novel and innovative method known as microbial induced calcite precipitation (MICP). Lateritic soil
was treated with stepped Sporosarcina pasteurii (S. pasteurii) suspension density up to 2.40 x 10 9 cells/ml at moulding
water content (MWC) -2, 0 and +2 % relative to optimum moisture content (OMC) before compaction using Reduced
British Standard light (RBSL), British Standard light (BSL), West African Standard (WAS) or Intermediate and
British Standard heavy (BSH) energies. Compacted specimens were saturated with cementation reagent in three cycles
with 1/3 rd pore volume at 6 hours’ interval to induce calcite precipitation at an ambient laboratory temperature of
24±2 oC. T he soil-water characteristics curves (SWCC) of the specimens were determined using pressure plate
extractor over a pressure range of 10-1500 kPa. Unsaturated hydraulic conductivity values were predicted for the S.
pasteurii suspension densities considered using Brooks-Corey, van Genuchten as well as Fredlund and Xing curve
fitting prediction models. Results show that the unsaturated hydraulic conductivity values of specimens prepared at
lower, MWC relative to OMC were generally higher than at higher MWC regardless of compactive efforts and S.
pasteurii suspension densities considered. The Brooks-Corey model gave the best predicted unsaturated
hydraulic conductivity values which fit the requirements for waste containment facilities over the matric
suction range and S. pasteurii suspension densities considered, than the van Genuchten and Fredlund –
Xing, when compared with measured values.
Keywords : Lateritic soil, Pore volume, Sporosarcina pasteurii. Suspension density, Unsaturated soils.

1 Introduction practical importance. In the studies of unsaturated soil,

Geotechnical engineering technology and practice as much emphasis was placed on the flow of water in the
soil, however, the constitutive equations developed which
reported in the literature was developed in the temperate
have become generally accepted in geotechnical
climate where the soils are mostly saturated. Therefore, it
was much easier and fruitful to direct a substantial engineering consist of the following : volume change,
shear strength, as well as flow in the unsaturated soil
research interest towards problems involving saturated
soils with positive pore-water pressure (Fredlund and (Fredlund and Rahardjo, 1993a) [2]. Some of the key
difficulties that exist in the measurement of the properties
Rahardjo, 1993b) [1]. The assumptions made in the design
of unsaturated soils include unsaturated soil laboratory
of liners and waste containment facilities is that
throughout the lifespan of the facility, it will remain tests being time-consuming and expensive, problems
linked with the measurement of negative pore-water
saturated. However, during the inactive (closure) stagethe
pressure in situ in unsaturated soil, the training of
soil is not totally saturated because most, if not all,
engineering facilities are located within the unsaturated technical personnel to handle the test, etc. (Phoon et al.,
2008 ; 2010 [5-6] ; Mahmood and Kareem, 2010 [7] and
zones (known as the vadose zone) of the soil.
The study of unsaturated soils is an essential tool Wang et al. 2015) [8].
The use of chemical additives as a conventional
for the analysis of soil behaviour because the soils used in
method of soil improvement has been a common practice
engineering construction are unsaturated (Fredlund and
Rahardjo, 1993a) [2]. Although unsaturated soil has for over a century. However, the use of these chemicals,
except sodium silicate, has been questioned becauseof the
received much attention of researchers in the field of
negative environmental issues associated with them.
geotechnical engineering, the use or application of
unsaturated soil mechanics is not only inexhaustible but Research into more sustainable methods of soil
improvement has brought about the discovery of a new
still lags behind up-to-date knowledge (Chin et al., 2010)
[3]. According to Tao et al. (2017) [4], more than 60% of technique called Microbial Induced Calcite Precipitation
(MICP). The aim of this study was the enhancement of the
the countries of the world are suffering the engineering
engineering properties of a deficient lateritic soil to be
harm brought about by unsaturated soils, as such thestudy
of unsaturated soil behavior targeted for engineering use used in waste containment facilities using MICP
approach. The targeted objectives include the
is not only of theoretically significance but also of

* Corresponding author: aeberemu@yahoo.com

© The Authors, published by EDP Sciences. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
MATEC Web of Conferences 337, 04001 (2021) https://doi.org/10.1051/matecconf/202133704001
PanAm-UNSAT 2021

determination of the soil - water characteristic curves 2.2 Methods

(SWCCs) of lateritic soil treated with different S.
pasteurii suspension densities, moulding water content 2.2.1 Bacteria culture/growth medium :
and compactive efforts. Also, Brooks -Corey (1964) [9], The method used to identify the bacteria is the
van Genuchten (1980) [10] and Fredlund and Xing (1994) conventional method described by Cheesbrough (2006)
[11] curve fitting models were used to predict volumetric [21]. Bacteria was cultured in an Ammonium-Yeast
water content and unsaturated hydraulic conductivity of Extract media as delineated in Mortensen et al. (2011) and
the treated soil in relation to the measured laboratory Feng et al. (2014) [22 and 23]. The organism was isolated
values. from soil and inoculated on media with this composition
viz : (20 g yeast extract, 10 g ammonium chloride, 2 g
urea and 0.1g nickel in 1 litre distilled water) and NaOH
1.1 Soil-Water Characteristics Curve
was used to adjust the pH of the media to 9.0. The media
Soil-water characteristics curve (SWCC) was originally was autoclaved at 121oC per 1.1 kg pressure for 15
developed in the agriculture science. It is a plot that is minutes. 1 gram each of the soil samples were inoculated
used for the determination of the soil to store water at on each of the culture bottle and incubated at 370C for 24-
varied suction pressures (Mahmood and Kareem, 2010) 48 hours to facilitate proper characterization i.e. isolation
[7]. Osinubi and Amadi (2010) [12], reported that SWCC and identification.
is a plot that demonstrate the ability of soil to hold or
release water when subjected to varying suction pressure. 2.2.2 Bacteria cell density :
It also represents the association existing between soil The bacteria suspension was varied in stepped density of
water content at different suction pressure (Elkady et al., 0, 4.0, and 8.0 McFarland Standards, equal to 0 /ml, 1.20
2017) [13]. SWCC has played an important role in the use x 109 /ml and 2.40 x 109 cells/ml. A maximum one-third
of unsaturated soil mechanics in geotechnical engineering (1/3rd) of the pore volume of organisms was mixed with
practice ; Zapata et al., (2000) [14]. The curve is one of the soil as recommended by Rowshanbakht et al. (2016)
the earliest indirect methods used in the study of [24]. Pore volumes were determined for all the
unsaturated soil that has shown some level of success compactive efforts employed in the study.
because it is possible to approximate most unsaturated soil
properties from saturated soil parameters and the SWCC 2.2.3 Sample preparation:
(Fredlund and Rahadjo, 1993b; Chin et al., 2010; 3000 g of the crumbled and air-dried soil sample sieved
Braudeau et al. 2014 ; Rahimi et al. 2015; Alsherif et al. through BS No.4 sieve (4.76 mm opening) was mixed
2015 and Li et al. 2017) [1;3 ;15 ;16 ;17 and 18]. A rigorously with 1/3rd of its pore volume as the bacterial
SWCC is a basis to regulate other important properties of suspension density using moulding water contents in the
soil such as unsaturated permeability and shear strength range of -2 % and +2 % relative to optimum moisture
(Tao et al. 2017; Fredlund and Xing, 1994; Vanapalli et content. The treated soil samples were cured for 12 hours
al., 1996 and Bo and Yulong, 2016). [4 ;11 ;19 and 20]. in a securely closed plastic bags at 24 ± 2oC to facilitate
Fredlund and Rahardjo (1993a)[1] reported that fine grain better distribution and attachment of the bacteria onto the
soils have greater air entry pressure ( ), while those soil before compaction with the energy level considered.
with broader collection of pore sizes (well graded) display The compacted samples were flooded with the
more variations in matric suction with water content. For cementating reagent under gravity in three circles with
over five decades, several empirical equations were 2/3rd of their pore volumes cementation mixture the same
proposed to model SWCC with many of them having as those used in Dejong et al. (2006) [25] to initiate the
common and intersecting parameters. MICP process. A stainless steel pipe having an internal
raduis of 25 mm and effective height of 50 mm was used
2 Materials and Methods in coring the seventy-two (72) specimens from the
compacted soil and wrapped with polyethene sheets 24
hours after the third cycle. The cored specimens were later
2.1 Materials saturated by capillary action in a water tank for 3 weeks.
Full saturation was confirmed only when water was
2.1.1 Soil : observed to have risen to the top of the treated samples.
The lateritic soil used in this research was obtained from 2.2.4 Application of pressure on the pressure plate
a site located in Abagana community of Anambra state, extractor:
Nigeria (Latitude 6o10’15” N and Longitude 6o58’10” E).
The method used was the disturbed sampling at a depth The fully saturated specimen was placed on a porous
range of 0.5 m and 3.0 m. stone that only permit the movement of water through the
pore inside the chamber of the pressure plate extractor.
2.1.2 Bacteria : Controlled air from a compressor was used to apply
The bacteria used in this research is Sporosarcina pressure of 10, 500 and 1500 kPa, respectively, on the
pasteurii, an organism frequently found in soil. It is specimens until water stopped dripping from an outlet on
Gram-positive, urease positive, spore-forming and rod- the pressure plate extractor. The application of pressure
shaped bacteria that was isolated and cultured from the on the specimens was carried for about 10 weeks, the
soil sample. whole process from sample preparation to the application

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MATEC Web of Conferences 337, 04001 (2021) https://doi.org/10.1051/matecconf/202133704001
PanAm-UNSAT 2021

of the pressure lasted for about 3 months. The equipment 2.2.6 Prediction of unsaturated hydraulic
was dismantled after the test, while the specimens were conductivity
placed in an oven to determine the final water content. The The calculation of unsaturated hydraulic conductivity
volumetric water content was calculated from the water using the models is linked to the measured saturated
contents for each pressure applied and the data was used hydraulic conductivity with several parameters obtained
to plot the soil - water characteristic curves (SWCCs). from the SWCC. The prediction is established on the
following relationship:
2.2.5 Model equations
Alot of models for the prediction of SWCCs have been
used (Chin et al., 2010 ; Miller et al., 2002) [3 ;26] (6)
however, an extensive review of the subject matter by
Leong and Rahardjo (1997) [27] showed that the Brooks Where : kr is a relative hydraulic conductivity ; k is
- Corey (1964), van Genuchten (1980) [9,10] as well as unsaturated hydraulic conductivity of the soil and k sat is
Fredlund and Xing (1994) [11], are frequently used by the saturated hydraulic conductivity of the soil determined
researchers. Therefore, the three models expressed in in the laboratory. From Brooks-Corey (1964) model, [9]
equations (1) – (4) were considered in this study. kr in relation to the SWCC parameters is given as:
The Brooks - Corey Model [9] is expressed as:

and (7)
(2) From the van Genuchten (1980) model, [10] kr in relation
to the SWCC fitting parameters is given as:
Where: = normalized dimensionless volumetric
water content
(ψa) = Air Entry Suction or Bubbling Pressure (8)
= suction point
λ = the pore-size distribution index (Corey, 1994)[28]; Where m, n and p are as described in SWCC.
which is related to the distribution of pores in the soil Also, from Fredlund and Xing (1994) model,
sample and can be deduced from the slope of SWCC van [11] kr in relation to the SWCC fitting parameters is given
Genuchten (1980)) model [[10]] is expressed
p as: as:

(3)

Fredlund and Xing (1994) [11] model is expressed as: (9)

Where: = suction point; a, b and c are three different
soil fitting parameters described by Leong and Rahardjo
(1997) [27].
(4) 3 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Where: a, b, c are the different soil fitting parameters
described by Leong and Rahardjo (1997) [27] and m, n 3.1 Unsaturated hydraulic conductivity
and p are three soil fitting parameters described by van 3.1.1 Effect of moulding water content relative to
Genuchten (1980) [10] who also reported the relationship optimum :
between mand n as:
The changes recorded in the unsaturated hydraulic
(5) conductivity with moulding water content relative to
optimum at matric suctions of 10, 500 and 1,500 kPa for
to attain a bounded form expression for hydraulic Brooks-Corey (BC), van Genuchten (VG) and Fredlund-
conductivity however that was found to decrease the Xing (FX) models is shown in Figs. 1a-c. Generally,
flexibility of the model. Therefore, the parameters m and unsaturated hydraulic conductivity predicted, reduced
n should be used as obtained without using the with increasing moulding water content irrespectiveof the
relationship specified above to get precise predictive compactive effort and S. pasteurii suspension density
results. p is the turning point of the curve, which is used. It was observed that at 10 kPa suction, the [9]
associated to the air-entry suction. n occurs at regulated Brooks – Corey model recorded higher predicted
volumetric water content of 0.5, which controls the slope unsaturated hydraulic conductivity ; which ranged
of SWCC about the pivot point such that as n increases between 4.70x10-6 m/s at 0 cells/ml treated at -2 % dry of
the portion of the curve amid ψa and the knee (the point of OMC to 9.75x10-9 m/s at 2.40x109 cells/ml treated at 2%
inflexion) of SWCC becomes steeper (Miller et al., 2002) wet of OMC. [10] van Genuchten model recorded values
[26]. in the range of 9.12x10-12 m/s at 2.40x109 cells/ml treated
at OMC to 7.35x10-8 m/s at 0 cells/ml also treated at

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OMC. Furhtermore, [11] Fredlund-Xing models recorded Compacted at OMC. At the same suction pressure, the
values that ranged between 1.16x10-8 m/s at -2% dry of Fredlund-Xing [11] model recorded relatively higher
OMC and 1.97x10-9 m/s at +2% wet of OMC for 0 values which ranged from 4.05x10-10 m/s at 1.20x109
cells/ml treated at OMC, lower values ranging between cells/ml compacted at +2 % wet of OMC to 1.67x10-8 m/s
3.92x10-9 m/s and 4.33x10-10 m/s were recorded at 1.20 at 2.40x109 cells/ml compacted at -2 % dry of OMC. At
x109 cells/ml. Furthermore, at 10 kPa suction pressure, matric suction pressures of 500 kPa and 1,500 kPa,
the compacted treated soil was still saturated and did not relatively the [10 and 11] model predictions were higher
exhibit unsaturated behaviour ; when the suction pressure compared to the Brooks-Corey [9] model. From the
was increased to 500 kPa, the unsaturated behaviour results presented, all the models at varying suction
increased. The Brooks – Corey [9] model recorded the pressure recorded unsaturated hydraulic conductivity
lowest predicted unsaturated hydraulic conductivity in the lower than the maximum permisible value of 1.0x10-9
range of 4.07x10-16 m/s at 2.40x109 cells/ml treated at +2 m/s, however, the Brooks-Corey model [9] recorded
% wet of OMC to 4.66x10-9 m/s at 0.0 cells/ml treated at much lower prediction of unsaturated hydraulic
+2 % wet of OMC. The next lower prediction was conductivity at higher suction pressure compared to the
recorded by [10] van Genuchten model in the range of other two prediction models, this condition is commonly
2.67x10-11 m/s at 2.40x109 cells/ml treated at OMC to found in arid/semi-arid regions like Nigeria. The results
4.66x10-4 m/s at 0.0 cells/ml treated at OMC. Similarly , obtained of this study are similar to those reported by
the Fredlund-Xing [11] model recorded relatively higher Osinubi and Eberemu, (2010) ; Osinubi and Bello, (2011)
values which ranged between 1.15x10-8 m/s for 0 cells/ml and Osinubi et al. (2015) [29-31] for soils treated with
at -2% dry of OMC and 4.18x10-10 m/s for 2.40x109 using different additives.
cells/ml treated at +2% wet of OMC. As the suction was
increased to 1500 kPa, Brooks – Corey [9] model
recorded similar but much lower results compared to
those recorded at 500 kPa, in the range of 3.44x10-18 m/s
at 2.40x109 cells/ml treated at +2 % wet of OMC to
2.12x10-7 m/s at 1.20x109 cells/ml treated at -2 % dry of
OMC. Similarly, van Genuchten [10] model recorded
predited values in the range of 1.42x10-11 m/s at 2.40 x 109
cells/ml compacted at OMC to 5.07x10-3 m/s at 0 cells/ml

1.E-05 0E+00 cells/ml-BC

1.20E+09 cells/ml -BC
1.E-06
Unsaturated Hydraulic
Conductivity (m/s)

2.40E+09 cells/ml-BC
1.E-07
0E+00 cells/ml-FX
1.E-08 1.20E+09 cells/ml-FX
1.E-09 2.40E+09 cells/ml-FX
1.E-10 0E+00 cells/ml-VG
1.20E+09 cells/ml-VG
1.E-11
2.40E+09 cells/ml-VG
1.E-12
-2 -1 0 1 2
(A) 10kPa) Water Content Relative to Optimum (%)

1.E-03 0E+00 cells/ml-BC

1.E-05 1.20E+09 cells/ml-BC

Unsaturated Hydraulic
Conductivity (m/s)

2.40E+09 cells/ml-BC
1.E-07
0E+00 cells /ml-FX
1.E-09
1.20E+09 cells/ml-FX
1.E-11
2.40E+09 cells/ml-FX
1.E-13 0E+00 cells/ml-VG
1.E-15 1.20E+09 cells/ml-VG
1.E-17 2.40E+09 cells/ml-VG
-2 -1 0 1 2
(B) 500kPa Water Content Relative to Optimum (%)
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1.E-02 0E+00 cells/ml-BC

1.E-04 1.20E+09 cells/ml-BC
Unsaturated Hydraulic
Conductivity (m/s)
1.E-06 2.40E+09 cells/ml-BC
1.E-08 0E+00 cells/ml-FX
1.E-10 1.20E+09 cells/ml-FX
1.E-12 2.40E+09 cells/ml-FX
1.E-14 0E+00 cells/ml-VG
1.20E+09 cells/ml-VG
1.E-16
2.40E+09 cells/ml-VG
1.E-18
-2 -1 0 1 2
(C) 1500kPa Water Content Relative to Optimum (%)

Fig.1 Variation of unsaturated hydraulic conductivity for lateritic soil compacted at optimum
moisture content with water content relative to optimum based on Brooks-Corey (BC),
Fredlund-Xing (FX) and van Genuchten (VG) models at varying S. pasteurii suspension
density for matric suction:(A) 10 kPa (B) 500 kPa (C) 1500 kPa

3.1.2 Effect of Sporosarcina pasteurii suspension

density
Unsaturated hydraulic conductivity values in the range of
The effect of S. pasteurii suspension density on the 2.77 m/s at 0 cells/ml to 2.67x10-11 m/s at 2.40 x10 9
unsaturated hydraulic conductivity of specimens treated cells/ml, only treatment at 2.40 x109 cells/ml using BSH
at OMC and compacted with RBSL, BSL, WAS and BSH compactive effort met the regulatory value of 1.0 x 10-9
energy is presented in Figs.2a-c. At lower matric suction m/s for this model. The Brooks-Corey [9] model recorded
(i.e., 10 kPa) when the soil was still in its saturated state ; the least predicted unsaturated hydraulic conductivity in
Brooks-Corey (1964) [9] model recorded higher predicted the range of 8.67x10-9 m/s at 0 cells/ml to 1.56x10-12 m/s
values than the other two models. The range of values at 2.40 x109 cells/ml. On the other hand, the Fredlund-
were between 2.37x10-8 m/s at 0 cells/ml to 1.80x10-4 m/s Xing [11] model predicted unsaturated hydraulic
at 2.40x109 cells/ml. These predicted values did not conductivity values that are between the values predicted
satisfy the maximum permissible regulatory value of 1.0 by [9 and 10] models. Similarly, at 1500 kPa matric
x 10-9 m/s. The van Genuchten (1980) [10] model suction, van Genuchten [10] model recorded higher
recorded values in the range of 9.12x10-12 m/s at 2.40 x109 unsaturated hydraulic conductivity values, in the range of
cells/ml to 3.52x10-6 m/s at 0.0 cells/ml, there was a 1.23x102 m/s at 0 cells/ml to1.42x10-11 m/s at 2.40 x10 9
general decrease in the predicted hydraulic conductivity cells/ml; while the Brooks-Corey [9] model recorded the
values with increase in S. pasteurii suspension density. least predicted unsaturated hydraulic conductivity in the
The Fredlund-Xing (1994) [11] model on the other hand range of 3.11x10-9 m/s at 0 cells/ml to 3.27x10-14 m/s at
recorded values in between [9 and 11] models, the 2.40 x109 cells/ml. As previously reported, [11] model
predicted hydraulic conductivity values slightly decreased recorded values that are in between the range predicted by
with increase in S. pasteurii suspension density. At 500 [9 and 10] models respectively. Osinubi et al. (2015) [31]
kPa matric suction the van Genuchten [10] model showed reported similar results.
higher predicted

RBSL FX
BSL FX
1.0E-02
Unsaturated Hydraulic

WAS FX
Conductivity (m/s)

1.0E-04 BSH FX
RBSL BC
1.0E-06 BSL BC
WAS BC
1.0E-08
BSH BC
1.0E-10 RBSL VG
BSL VG
1.0E-12 WAS VG
0 . 0 0 E+0 0 1 . 2 0 E+0 9 2 . 4 0 E+0 9 BSH VG
Sporosarcina pasteurii suspension density (cells/ml)
A-1 0 kPa

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RBSL FX
BSL FX
1.0E+02 WAS FX

Unsaturated Hydraulic
1.0E+00 BSH FX

Conductivity (m/s)
1.0E-02 RBSL BC
1.0E-04 BSL BC
WAS BC
1.0E-06
BSH BC
1.0E-08 RBSL VG
1.0E-10 BSL VG
1.0E-12 WAS VG
1.0E-14 BSH VG
0 . 0 0 E+0 0 1 . 2 0 E+0 9 2 . 4 0 E+0 9

B- 5 00 kP a Sporosarcina pasteurii suspension density (cells/ml)

RBSL FX
BSL FX
1.0E+03 WASFX
Unsaturated Hydraulic

1.0E+01 BSH FX
Conductivity (m/s)

1.0E-01
RBSL BC
1.0E-03
BSL BC
1.0E-05
1.0E-07 WAS BC
1.0E-09 BSH BC
1.0E-11 RBSL VG
1.0E-13 BSL VG
1.0E-15 WAS VG
1.0E-17 BSH VG
0 . 0 0 E+0 0 1 . 2 0 E+0 9 2 . 4 0 E+0 9

C 1 5 0 0 kPa Sporosarcina pasteurii suspension density (cells/ml)

Fig.2 Variation of unsaturated hydraulic conductivity of lateritic soil - S. pasteurii mixture
compacted at optimum moisture content based on Brooks-Corey (BC), van Genuchten (VG),
and Fredlund-Xing (FX) models for matric suctions : (A) 10 kPa (B) 500 kPa and (C) 1500
kPa.

At 1500 kPa, the highest value recorded was 1.73x10-9

3.1.3 Effect of compactive effort m/s using WAS while the lowest value recorded was
The changes recorded due to compactive effort on the 2.60x10-14 m/s
unsaturated hydraulic conductivity predicted by Brooks- For soil specimen treated at 10 kPa suction, the highest
Corey [9] model for varying S. pasteurii suspension hydraulic conductivity value of 1.67x10-3 m/s was
density is presented in Fig.3a-c. The range of matric recorded using WAS ; while the lowest value recorded
suction used in the study is between 10 kPa -1500 kPa, the was 2.40x10-7 m/s using RBSL compactive effort. At
highest and lowest values of the predicted unsaturated 1500 kPa, the highest value recorded was 7.10x10-14 m/s
hydraulic conducvity recorded within these pressure using RBSL while the lowest value recorded was 3.33x10-
range is discussed. It was generally observed that there 15
m/s using BSH compactive effort. For soil specimen
was a linear decrease in the unsaturated hydraulic treated with 1.20x109 cells/ml, at 10 kPa suction ; the
conductivity with increase in matric suction. For the highest hydraulic conductivity value of 7.89x10-5 m/s was
natural soil at 10 kPa the highest hydraulic conductivity recorded using BSL, while the lowest value recorded was
value of 2.04x10-5 m/s was recorded using RBSL 5.75x10-8 m/s using BSH compactive effort. At 1500 kPa
compactive effort, while the lowest value recorded was the highest value recorded was 1.71x10-9 m/s using WAS
2.37x10-8 m/s using WAS compactive effort, at 1500 kPa. while the lowest value recorded was 3.05x10-14 m/s using
The highest value recorded was 3.12x10-9 m/s using BSL RBSL compactive effort. Similarly, for soils specimen
while the lowest value recorded was 4.47x10-17 m/s using treated at 10 kPa suction, the highest hydraulic
RBSL compactive effort. conductivity value of 6.11x10-4 m/s was recorded using
BSL, while the lowest value recorded was 1.66x10-7 m/s
using RBSL compactive effort. At 1500 kPa, the highest
value recorded was 4.23x10-14 m/s using BSH while the

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lowest value recorded was 7.75x10-21 m/s using WAS except at WAS compactive effort which recorded the least
compactive effort. Furthermore, for soils specimen treated predicted unsaturated hydraulic conductivity values. The
with 2.40x109 cells/ml, at 10 kPa suction, the highest observed trend could probably be due to the precipitation
hydraulic conductivity value of 1.80x10-4 m/s was of calcite within the pores of specimens prepared at lower
recorded using BSL, while the lowest value recorded was compactive effort (especially the RBSL), resulted in a
2.83x10-7 m/s using RBSL compactive effort. At 1500 lower prediction of unsaturated hydraulic conductivity
kPa, the highest value recorded was 3.91x10-9 m/s using values.
WAS while the lowest value recorded was 3.27x10-14 m/s
using BSL compactive effort. From the results presented,
it can generally be concluded that RBSL compactive
effort recorded the least predicted unsaturated hydraulic
conductivity values

0.0E+00 cells/ml RBSL 0.0E+00 cells/ml BSL

0.0E+00 cells/ml WAS 0.0E+00 cells/ml BSH
1.0E-03
Unsaturated Hydraulic
conductivity k, (m/s)

1.0E-05
1.0E-07
1.0E-09
1.0E-11
1.0E-13
1.0E-15
1.0E-17
10 100 1000
Matric Suction (kPa) A- BC

1.20E+08 cells/ml RBSL 1.20E+08 cells/ml BSL

1.20E+08 cells/ml WAS 1.20E+08 cells/ml BSH
1.0E-02
UnsaturatedHydraulic
conductivity k, (m/s)

1.0E-04

1.0E-06

1.0E-08

1.0E-10

1.0E-12

1.0E-14
10 100 1000
Matric Suction (kPa) B-BC

2.40E+09 cells/ml RBSL 2.40E+09 cells/ml BSL

2.40E+09 cells/ml WAS 2.40E+09 cells/ml BSH
1.0E-02
Unsaturated Hydraulic
conductivity k,(m/s)

1.0E-04

1.0E-06

1.0E-08

1.0E-10

1.0E-12

1.0E-14
10 100 1000
Matric Suction (kPa) C- B C
Fig.3 Variation of unsaturated hydraulic conductivity of lateritic soil prepared at optimum
moisture content with matric suction based on Brooks - Corey (BC) model for S. pasteurii
suspension density : (A) 0 cells/ml, (B) 1.20 × 109 cells/ml and (C) 2.40 × 109 cells/ml.

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The changes due to effect of compactive effort on the kPa suction, the highest and lowest values were 8.29x10-
5
predicted unsaturated hydraulic conductivity using van m/s and 2.23x10-6 m/s using RBSL and WAS
Genuchten [10] model for varying S. pasteurii suspension compactive efforts respectively. Similar results were
density is presented in Fig. 4a-c. In contrast to the recorded for soil specimen treated with 1.20x109 and
predicted values obtained using [9] model, there was a 2.40x109 cells/ml at both 10 and 1500 kPa matric suction.
linear increase in the unsaturated hydraulic conductivity In all the various suspension densities used in the study,
values with increasing matric suction. As previously only treated soils at S. pasteurii of 1.20x109 cells/ml
discussed, at 10 kPa suction for the natural soil, the satisfied the regulatory hydraulic conductivity
highest value was 3.52x10-6 m/s using WAS, while the requirement of 1.0x10-9 m/s using RBSL compactive
lowest value recorded was 1.08x10-8 m/s using BSL effort at 10 kPa matric suction and at 2.40x109 cells/ml
compactive effort, at 1500 kPa, 1.24x102 m/s was both at 10 and 1500 kPa matric suction using BSH
recorded as the highest value using WAS and 8.21x10-6 compactive effort. The prediction from this model would
m/s as the lowest using BSL compactive effort. At 10 kPa, not be suitable for application since the the soil at matric
the highest and lowest unsaturated hydraulic conductivity suction of 10 kPa at which the hydraulic conductivity
values were 3.13x10-8 m/s and 4.40x10-10 using BSL and requirements were met is still saturated as such could not
RBSL compactive efforts respectively, while at 1500 kPa, give true unsaturated properties of the treated soil. From
the highest and lowest values are 1.25x10-4 m/s and the presented results, it can be concluded that van
7.93x10-8 m/s using BSL and RBSL compactive efforts Genuchten [10] model is not appropriate for the
separately. At 10 kPa, the highest and lowest values were predictions of unsaturated hydraulic conductivity of a soil
2.90x10-8 m/s and 3.48x10-9 m/s, using RBSL and WAS classified according to AASHTO [32], as an A-4-3 soil
compactive efforts respectively. At 1500 treated with S. pasteurii using MICP approach.

0.0E+00 cells/ml RBSL 0.0E+00 cells/ml BSL

0.0E+00 cells/ml WAS 0.0E+00 cells/ml BSH
1.0E+04
Unsaturated Hydraulic
conductivity k, (m/s)

1.0E+02

1.0E+00

1.0E-02

1.0E-04

1.0E-06

1.0E-08
10 100 1000
Matric Suction (kPa) A- VG

1.20E+08 cells/ml RBSL 1.20E+08 cells/ml BSL

1.20E+08 cells/ml WAS 1.20E+08 cells/ml BSH
1.0E-02
Unsaturated Hydraulic
conductivity k, (m/s)

1.0E-04

1.0E-06

1.0E-08

1.0E-10
10 100 1000
Matric Suction (kPa) B-VG

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2.40E+09 cells/ml RBSL 2.40E+09 cells/ml BSL

2.40E+09 cells/ml WAS 2.40E+09 cells/ml BSH
1.0E-06

Unsaturated Hydraulic
conductivity k, (m/s)
1.0E-08

1.0E-10

1.0E-12
10 100 1000
Matric Suction (kPa) C- VG
Fig.4 Variation of unsaturated hydraulic conductivity of lateritic soil compacted at optimum
moisture content with matric suction based on van Genuchten (VG) model for S. pasteurii
suspension density : (A) 0 cells/ml, (B) 1.20 × 109 cells/ml and (C) 2.40 × 109 cells/ml.

The variation in the unsaturated hydraulic conductivity 1.0x10-9 m/s. Comparatively, from Figs. 3a-c - 5a-c; all
predicted using Fredlund-Xing [11] model for varying S. the treatment options used, the predicted values met the
pasteurii suspension density due to compactive effort is regulatory hydraulic conductivity value of 1.0x10-9 m/s at
presented in Figs. 5a-c. A gradual decrease in the higher matric suction which displayed unsaturated
predicted unsaturated hydraulic conductivity values was hydraulic properties. In Figs. 4a-c out of the various S.
recorded with increasing matric suction. The values pasteurii suspension densities used in the study, only soils
predicted using the Fredlund-Xing model are similar to treated with S. pasteurii of 1.20x109 cells/ml met the
those obtained using the Brooks -Corey [9] model that regulatory hydraulic conductivity requirement of 1.0x10-
9
showed more substantial reduction with increasing matric m/s using RBSL compactive effort at 10 kPa matric
suction. The values predicted by the two models are at suction and at 2.40x109 cells/ml both at 10 and 1500 kPa
variance with the values recorded for [10] model that matric suction using BSH compactive effort. From the
under predicted the unsaturated hydraulic conductivity results presented, the prediction model by Brooks-Corey
values and as well recorded an increase in the predicted model [9] predicted values that better represent the
unsaturated hydraulic conductivity values with increase in unsaturated hydraulic properties of the treated soil than
matric suction. Furthermore, the effect of changes in the van Genuchten [10] model, which over predicted the
compactive effort on the predicted values was not unsaturated hydraulic conductivity.
significant for all the treated specimens except for Figs.
5b. This has not satisfied the maximum regulatory
hydraulic conductivity value of

0.0E+00 cells/ml RBSL 0.0E+00 cells/ml BSL

0.0E+00 cells/ml WAS 0.0E+00 cells/ml BSH
UnsaturatedHydraulic
conductivity k, (m/s)

1.00E-07

1.00E-08

1.00E-09
10 100 1000
Matric Suction (kPa) A- F X

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1.20E+08 cells/ml RBSL 1.20E+08 cells/ml BSL

1.20E+08 cells/ml WAS 1.20E+08 cells/ml BSH
1E-08

Unsaturated Hydraulic
conductivty k, (m/s)

1E-09
10 100 1000
Matric Suction (kPa) B-FX

2.40E+09 cells/ml RBSL 2.40E+09 cells/ml BSL

2.40E+09 cells/ml WAS 2.40E+09 cells/ml BSH
1E-08
Unsaturated Hydraulic
conductivity k, (m/s)

1E-09
10 100 1000
Matric Suction (kPa) C- F X
Fig.5 Variation of unsaturated hydraulic conductivity of lateritic soil prepared at optimum
moisture content with matric suction based on Fredlund and Xing (FX) model for S. pasteurii
suspension density : (A) 0 cells/ml (B) 1.20 × 109 cells/ml and (C) 2.40 × 109 cells/ml.

4 CONCLUDING REMARKS Characteristics curve. Can. Geotech. Jour. 47: 1382–1400

From the results of the study conducted on the unsaturated (2010) doi: 10.1139T10-033
hydraulic conductivity of lateritic soil treated with
varying S. pasteurii suspension density and compacted 4. H. Tao, C. Chen, P. Jiang & L. Tang (2017). Soil
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